TIPS Volunteers
TIPS (Truro International Programs & Services) has been Truro Anglican’s “Bridge to the International Community” for more than 35 years. TIPS seeks to meet and serve the practical, cultural/educational, social, and spiritual needs of international students, visiting scholars, immigrants, international professional workers and diplomats, refugees, and other international guests to the Northern VA/DC area. With the advent of virtual classes since March 2020, TIPS now includes students joining in from other countries around the world as well.
The heart of TIPS is our ESOL classes.
We have two sets of classes – morning and evening
TIPS Classes 2024-2025
Fall Semester: September 9-December 12, 2024
Spring Semester: January 8-May 15, 2025
Email Myra Hinote at [email protected] for more information, or sign up now to volunteer at: https://bit.ly/GiveTIPSaHand. An application and training is required.Conversation Club
Mondays (Online from 7:15 pm to 8:30 pm EDT) June 6th to July 25th.
Tuesdays (In person from 10:00 am to 11:15 pm) June 7th to July 26th.
Christianity Explored
Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:45 on Zoom (June 8th to July 27th)
This course will explore the basics of Christianity while doing a study of the book of Mark. We encourage students of all faiths (or no faith) to attend and to ask questions and explore Christianity for themselves in a safe environment.
One-to-One Conversation Partners
Family-to-Family
Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:45 on Zoom (June 8th to July 27th)
This program matches one American family with one international family. The American family will invite the international family over for dinner, and then they will return the favor While we encourage you to go to each other’s houses, you may also meet in a restaurant. Family-to-family is a great way to involve your whole family in TIPS!
Email Myra Hinote at [email protected] for more information, or sign up now to volunteer at: https://bit.ly/TIPSSummer2022VolSignup. An application and training is required.
Morning Classes
Morning Classes meet in person at Truro Anglican Church on Tuesdays & Thursdays:
- Volunteer Meeting*: 9:15-9:50am
- ESOL Class*: 10:00-11:30am (volunteers join at 9:50)
- Conversation & Culture (hybrid): Tuesdays from 12:15-1:30pm
- Exploring Faith (hybrid): Thursdays from 12:15-1:30pm
*-required for all volunteers assisting on that day
Evening Classes
Evening Classes meet virtually via Zoom on Mondays & Wednesdays:
- Volunteer Meeting*: 6:30-7:05pm
- ESOL Classes*: 7:15-8:45pm (volunteers join at 7:05)
*-required for all volunteers assisting on that day
Volunteer Positions
ESOL Classes:
Lead Teacher
Either alone or as a part of a teaching team, this person prepares and presents the lessons, assigns homework, corrects work, etc. Most teachers employ a model of teaching for a few minutes, going into small groups for practice or exercises, returning to the main class for more teaching, back to small groups, etc.
Assistants
Most volunteers serve as assistants. These people assist the lead teachers as needed. They welcome students as they arrive, sit in on the class, demonstrate conversations, and serve as breakout group leaders. During these breakout groups, they follow the teacher’s instructions on how to conduct the relevant exercises, and practice active listening and encouragement. There is no preparation needed to serve as an assistant – just show up and be willing to help! Assistants do need to purchase a student book, so that they can follow along with the lesson and conduct the relevant exercises.
Other Positions:
Hospitality
Assist with student check-in for our in-person classes, help set up refreshments, help with special events, provide lunch between classes on Tuesday or Thursday, etc.
Assist refugees or new immigrants with a job search
Conversation & Culture
This class is a discussion class, designed to give our students an opportunity to practice their English conversational skills and to encourage an exchange of ideas and a sharing of cultures. Each class will begin with a short (10-15 minute) presentation on the topic of the day, then the volunteers and students will be divided into breakout rooms for the discussion time. A few minutes before the end of the class, the groups will all come together and one student from each group will have an opportunity to share something interesting that their group discussed.
Volunteers serve as small group discussion leaders. They are responsible for having the discussion questions handy (they will be emailed out at least a day in advance), and for ensuring an even and equitable flow of conversation. Practicing active listening, they should encourage all students to participate and facilitate a lively discussion. No prior preparation is required.